October 2006 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Aaronic Priesthood (see also Priesthood):
This priesthood is held by worthy young
men ages 12 to 18 and new adult male members
of the Church. The offices, or positions,
in the Aaronic Priesthood are bishop, priest,
teacher, and deacon. This priesthood administers
the preparatory gospel, “the gospel of
repentance and of baptism, and the remission
of sins” (D&C 84:27).
Baptism for the dead: In temples a
living person is baptized on behalf of someone
who has died. This ordinance offers
the opportunity to accept the blessings of
baptism to deceased persons who did not
receive the teachings of Jesus Christ in
mortal life.
Brother/Sister: Because we are all
children of our Heavenly Father, the title
Brother or Sister followed by a person’s last
name is a common way for members to
refer to one another.
Calling: An assignment or position of
service in the Church. Each calling has
specifically defined duties that a member
fulfills until he or she is released, often to
fulfill a new assignment.
Covenant: A sacred promise, or agreement,
made between a person or a group of
people and God.
Deacon: An office of responsibility in the
Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young
men ages 12 to 13.
General Authorities: Melchizedek
Priesthood leaders who administer the
affairs of the entire Church. They include
the First Presidency, the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, the Presidency of the
Seventy, the First and Second Quorums of
the Seventy, and the Presiding Bishopric.
Latter-day Saint: Shortened title or name
used to refer to members of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Laying on of hands: The act of priesthood
holders placing their hands on a person’s
HELPFUL WORDS TO KNOW
Many terms are defined in articles throughout this issue. But you may find
the list below helpful as a quick reference for unfamiliar words.
head to give that person a Church ordination
or blessing.
Melchizedek Priesthood (see also
Priesthood): Under the direction of local
priesthood leaders, worthy adult male members
(18 and older) may receive this priesthood.
Those who have this priesthood lead
the Church and administer such ordinances
as naming and blessing children, conferring
the Holy Ghost, and giving other priesthood
blessings. Elders, high priests, patriarchs,
Seventies, and Apostles hold this priesthood.
Mission/mission president: A geographically
defined area where full-time missionaries
work. The leader of a mission is called a
mission president.
Mutual: A weeknight meeting or activity
for youth ages 12 to 17.
Ordain: To give priesthood authority to a
worthy male member of the Church by the
laying on of hands.
Ordinance: A sacred rite, or ceremony, by
which members make covenants (promises)
with God, such as baptism, the sacrament,
and temple ordinances.
Priest: An office of responsibility in the
Aaronic Priesthood generally held by young
men ages 16 to 18 and new adult male
members of the Church.
Priesthood: The authority and power that
God has granted to act in His name. All worthy
male members age 12 and older may be
given priesthood authority.
Priesthood blessing: A prayer for healing,
comfort, or counsel given by a Melchizedek
Priesthood holder, who lays his hands
on the head of the person receiving the
blessing.
Primary: The Church organization for
children ages 3 to 11.
Quorum: An organized group of young
men or men who hold the same office
of priesthood authority, such as deacons,
elders, or members of the Seventy.
Release: To relieve members of their
duties in a Church assignment or position
with appreciation for the service they have
given.
Relief Society: The Church organization
for women age 18 and older.
Set apart: To give a Church member the
responsibilities and blessings associated
with a Church calling by the laying on of
hands of a properly authorized Melchizedek
Priesthood holder.
Sister: See Brother/Sister.
Sustain: To give support to those serving
in Church callings or to give one’s approval
for an action being taken by the Church.
This is usually signified by raising one’s right
hand when asked to do so by a Church
leader in a meeting.
Teacher: (1) An office of responsibility in
the Aaronic Priesthood generally held by
young men ages 14 to 15; (2) a person who
teaches a Church class or quorum.
Temple: A Church building dedicated for
the performance of sacred ordinances, such
as baptisms for the dead, the endowment,
and the sealing of families.
Testimony: An assurance or conviction of
faith revealed by the Holy Ghost that God
the Father and Jesus Christ live and that
Their teachings and the Restoration of the
gospel are true. When a person bears testimony,
he or she is making a brief, heartfelt
statement of this conviction to others.
Tithing: The donation of 10 percent of
a person’s income to the Church.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
You can find more information about
these and other terms in Guide to the
Scriptures and in True to the Faith (item
no. 36863), which are available in the
Gospel Library at www.lds.org.
ENSIGN OCTOBER 2006 33